Hydrangea Plant Named &#39;BCHY-11.033&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BCHY-11.033’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The variety ‘BCHY-11.033’ has attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets, attractive, nonuniform sepal pigmentation and good commercial characteristics. Many non-sepalous florets in the center of the inforescence make the new variety look similar to a lace-cap variety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-11.033’

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘BCHY-11.033’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Saxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-11.033’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented variety known as ‘8.1’ which was the seed parent and the variety ‘BC8.3’ which was the pollen parent. The pollen parent, ‘BC8.3’, is the subject of currently pending U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 13/986,180, filed Apr. 8, 2013. ‘BC8.1’ has attractive inflorescences but a growth habit that is not suitable for commercial production of ornamental potted plants. ‘BC8.3’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets that ring and almost hide all of the non-sepalous florets in the center of the panicle, attractive sepal pigmentation, and stems that branch easily and are relatively strong.

The variety ‘BCHY-11.033’ has relatively large sepalous florets, non-uniform sepal pigmentation at maturity and good commercial characteristics. ‘BCHY-11.033’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets that ring and almost hide all of the non-sepalous florets in the center of the panicle. The color of the sepals changes as the plant ages. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similar varieties.

TABLE 1 Commerical variety ‘Venedig’ US US which may New Plant Plant Patent be US Variety Patent Application Plant Patent ‘BCHY- 23,757 13/986,180 10,928 11.033’ ‘BC6.1’ ‘BC8.3’ ‘Venice Raven’ leaf 9.5 cm wide × 12 cm 10 cm × 11 cm size 12.5 cm long wide × 16 cm wide × 15.5 15 cm cm long-source long US PP10,928 Plant 13″ in 6″ pot. 15″ in 15″ in 6″ pot. 12″ in 6″ pot- height 6″ pot. observed controls grown alongside ‘BC6.1’. Stem Strong Stems are Stems are Strong- strength strong but relatively observed benefit from strong. controls grown being staked alongside ‘BC6.1’. Sepal Both sides of Upper Upper side of Upper side of pigmen- sepals are side of sepals is R.H.S. sepals is R.H.S. tation R.H.S. 68 C. sepals is 73A (red- 84 A (red-purple R.H.S. 86 A purple (violet group). group). (violet group) in Under side group); center, and of sepals Under margins of is R.H.S. 85 A side of sepals are (violet group) sepals is R.H.S. 56 A observed R.H.S. (red group). controls 88 D grown (violet alongside group) ‘BC6.1’. Sepalous 70 mm 70 mm 50 mm to 70 mm- Floret 60 mm observed Size- controls Diameter grown alongside ‘BC6.1’.

The new cultivar ‘BCHY-11.033’ has been successfully asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BCHY-11.033’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the floor of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an inflorescence.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of a floret.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the upperside of a panicle of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the underside of the panicle of the new variety.

FIG. 7 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 8 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plant shown is approximately a year old. The plant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. The plant was pinched early to promote lateral branches.

‘BCHY-11.033’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, treatment with aluminum and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, developed in association with the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

-   The plant:     -   -   Origin.—Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a             seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented             variety known as ‘8.1’ which was the seed parent and the             commercial variety ‘BC8.3’ which was the pollen parent.             ‘BC8.3’ is the subject of currently pending U.S. Plant             patent application Ser. No. 13/986,180, filed Apr. 8, 2013.         -   Form.—Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature             inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 13″             high and has a diameter of 18″ when grown in a 6″ pot with             appropriate soil amendments.         -   Growth.—Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is             large. The plant branches easily with shoots forming at the             base of the plant. Lateral branches are similar in             appearance and form to the main stems.         -   Stems.—Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A             (violet group) and are 1 to 3 mm long. The surface of young             stems is glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color             of typical young stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S.             146 C (yellow-green group). The older portions of the stems             are R.H.S. 199 A (grey-brown group). Younger portions of the             stems are 7 mm in diameter. Older portions of the stems are             7 mm in diameter.         -   Foliage.—Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral             branches. Shape of leaf. — Ovate with rounded base and acute             apex. Margins are serrate. Texture. — Glabrous; veins             dominate on the underside of the leaf and are sunken on the             upper leaf surface. Color. — Mature leaves have an upper             side that is R.H.S. 147 A (yellow-green group), and an under             side that is R.H.S. 138 A (green group). Leaves are             pinnately veined. The midvein and veins branching off the             midvein are large and prominent on the underside of the             leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 145 A (yellow-green group). Leaves             are as wide as 9.5 cm and 12.5 cm long. Petioles are smooth             and approximately 2.5 cm long and 4 mm wide. Petioles are             R.H.S. 145 A (yellow-green group). -   Buds:     -   -   Form.—Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals.             Most buds, whether they will mature into sepalous or             non-sepalous florets, have 5 petals. Buds in the center of             the inflorescence are non-sepalous. The minority of buds             will develop into sepalous florets. They are approximately 2             mm by 2 mm when very young. Buds can be 5 mm in diameter and             still unopened. Color of mature buds is R.H.S. 73 B             (red-purple group).         -   Aspect.—Smooth.         -   Arrangement.—Borne on branched panicles. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Form.—Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 150 individual             florets (both sepalous and non-sepalous) per inflorescence.             Both sepalous florets and non-sepalous florets borne on the             same panicle. Flowers do not produce a fragrance. The             peduncle for the inflorescence is strong and upright. Many             non-sepalous florets developing early on cymes that are             later almost all hidden by sepalous florets that form at the             outside of the panicle. Florets, both sepalous and             non-sepalous, have anthers and style. Inflorescences are             long-lasting, up to six weeks.         -   Size of Inflorescence.—Compact and flat. Individual             inflorescence size is dependent on the number of florets. A             typical inflorescence can grow as large as 9″ in diameter,             and 4″ high.         -   Shape.—Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets             overlap one another. Sepals are persistent.         -   Appearance.—Showy. -   Florets:     -   -   General.—The non-sepalous florets at the center of the             inflorescence open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets             are perfect and complete. Corolla: Generally, for both             sepalous and non-sepalous florets there are 5 petals. Petals             are typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Petals are R.H.S. 73             B (red-purple group). Lenticels are present on pedicels of             both sepalous and non-sepalous florets, lenticels are no             more than 1 mm to 4 mm long and very narrow. Lenticels are             R.H.S. 59 B (red-purple group). Pedicel length for             non-sepalous florets averages 4 mm. Pedicel length of             sepalous florets is approximately 30 mm in length for plants             of this age. Pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous             florets continue to elongate as the inflorescence ages.             Pedicels range from 68 C (red-purple group) to R.H.S. 146 C             (yellow-green group) near floret when mature.         -   Stamens.—8 to 10 stamens. Anther is regular and basally             attached.         -   Stigma.—Two to three style each, although most florets have             two style. Each style has one stigma.         -   Ovary.—Ovary is partially inferior.         -   Sepalous florets.—General. — Veins dominate on the underside             of the sepals. Number of sepals. — 4 to 5 sepals per floret,             usually 4. Aspect of sepals. — Smooth and glaucescent. Shape             of sepals. — Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are entire,             but with much crenation. Size of sepals. — As the florets             mature, the sepals enlarge and overlap each other more and             more, until, often, there is no space between the sepals             when the petals of the florets open. Sepals at maturity are             typically 35 mm long and 40 mm wide. Sepalous florets are             typically 70 mm in diameter. The upper sides of the sepals             are R.H.S. 68 C (red-purple group) and the undersides are             the same. Pigmentation develops at the tips of the sepals             and travels inward towards base of the sepals. Pigmentation             lightens as the sepals reach maturity. Pigmentation of             mature florets is 73 D (red-purple group).         -   Fruit.—none.         -   Disease and pest resistance.—unknown. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BCHY-11.033’ substantially as herein shown and described. 